Jeska Clark has an internal barometer.
“I know it’s around negative 15 degrees, since that’s usually when my eyelashes stick together,” she explained to a group of students at Central Oregon Community College. “A warm day for me is between zero and 10 degrees Fahrenheit,” she said.
Clark moved to Bend in 2024, and has been training rigorously, engaging with the community and fundraising to bring the first all-Black team on an Arctic expedition that pays tribute to history and raises awareness about climate change.
The journey is set to kick off in Greenland during April 2026, followed by a second phase of the trip to reach the North Pole in 2027. Clark is leading the team gathered by nonprofit Full Circle Expedition. The organization garnered national attention on May 12, 2022, when it formed the first all-Black team of climbers to conquer Mount Everest, with Clark as part of the support crew. Although Clark didn’t reach the summit, she made invaluable contributions to the team.
To the Top of the World with Jeska Clark
The planned Arctic route includes Greenland. A separate journey will then reach the North Pole, the last degree of latitude. The Greenland segment spans about 372 miles. It will take the team 25 to 30 days. They start in Kangerlussuaq, near the world’s second-largest ice cap. The route ends in Tasiilaq, a cultural center for east Greenland’s Inuit traditions. During the North Pole section, the team will face temperatures from 14 to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
The group comprises Clark, Thomas Moore, and Demond Mullins. Moore and Mullins both summited Everest. The other members are L. Renee Blount, Erick Cedeño, Evan Green, Danica Carey, and Marcus Shoffner. They selected members for their spirit of exploration and resilience. The group also features people with diverse backgrounds from across the country. These include psychologists, photographers, writers, filmmakers, and athletes.
As expedition leader, Clark holds several responsibilities. The professional human performance specialist creates the training regimen. She also monitors health and conducts climate research. Part of the Arctic Team’s climate research will focus on two things. They will monitor glacier melt and the human condition in harsh environments.
Another element of the expedition honors explorer Matthew Henson. “Six years ago, I stumbled upon his story,” Clark explained. This happened during a visit to the Explorers Club gallery. The New York gallery has been a base for a dedicated group since 1904. This group advances field research, scientific exploration, and resource conservation. By many accounts, Henson was the first human to reach the North Pole on April 6, 1909. He was also the first African American to do so. He was inducted into the Explorers Club in 1937. However, he did not receive full recognition for his contributions until 1988.
“[Henson’s] story inspired me, as Black explorers are often overlooked. I felt compelled to honor his legacy,” she said. We’re heading to the edge of the earth to inspire underrepresented individuals to pursue exploration.”
Training and Fundraising Goals
Training for the Arctic is no small feat. The expedition takes financial support, determination and strength. “Imagine hauling over 200 pounds of gear on a sled while skiing across icy terrain. You have to balance and move swiftly to dodge the sled from bumping into you. Strength training is essential for this,” Clark shared. At Boss Gym in Bend, Clark trains with fitness instructor Marcus McGovern, concentrating on exercises like weighted sled pulls and single-leg stabilization. Despite being in different states, her teammates keep each other accountable through scheduled Zoom calls, phone check-ins and progress reports until they will reunite in person later this winter.
Clark has held fundraising events, such as at Bend’s Juneteenth festival. There, she showcased equipment and educational materials for the Arctic expedition and shared that a documentary about the adventure is in the works. As it embarks on this inspiring journey, Clark’s team not only carries its gear but a profound legacy that will pave the team’s way into history. “Like Matthew Henson,” said Clark, “we’re heading to the edge of the earth to inspire underrepresented individuals to pursue exploration.”
Follow Jeska Clark or learn more about the Full Circle Arctic Expedition.
